Stacking box construction



May l1, 1965 J. GoLrz 3,182,856

sTAc'kG Box CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 20, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 11, 1965 J. GOL-rz STACKING BOX CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 20, 1962 Joseph Go/fz INVENTOR.

United States Patent() i 3,12,856 STACKING BOX CGNSTRUCTIQN Joseph Goltz, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor of twenty-five percent to I. C. Bloom and George I. Bloom, both of Washington, Pa., `iointly Filed Nov. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 238,892 4 Claims. (Cl. 220-97) This invention relates to a novel and useful stacking =box construction which is primarily designed to provide a means whereby a plurality of boxes for containing any suitable articles may be disposed in stacked relation with each box in the stack of boxes being interlockingly engaged with the adjacent box or boxes of the stack in such a manner that each of the containers will be secured against movement through a generally horizontally disposed plane in opposite directions relative to the adjacent box or boxes in the stack.

The use of boxes or containers for shipping and sale of many types of manufactured articles has greatly increased in recent years and there has accordingly developed a problemas to how best to handle large numbers of boxes or containers during shipment, storage and periods when the containers or boxes may be placed on display. While small numbers of'regularly shaped containers may be stacked as long as the height of the stack is not excessive, there are certain limits to a stack of boxes or containers which when exceeded greatly increase the possibility of the stack of containers tumbling down or falling over. In addition, most boxes and containers are constructed so as to form rectangular solids which may be stacked or piled in a compact manner. However, when one or more stacks of rectangular boxes or containers are handled by a person and manually lifted from one location to another there is a great possibility that some of the boxes on the top of the stack will slide relative to the boxes disposed therebeneath in a horizontal plane resulting in the upper boxes or containers of the stack falling down.

Although the stacking box construction of the instant invention will greatly facilitate the shipment, storage and displaying of stacks of containers, it is to be noted that the box construction `of the instant invention may also be used to contain articles which are more or less permanently located. The box construction of the instant invention could be utilized as tile containers and the like for material which does not have to be frequently removed or viewed. g

The main object of this invention is to provide a (stacking box construction which defines` a generally rectangular shaped box, although other shapes may also be utilized, and which may be stacked and interlockingly engaged with adjacent boxes of the stack in a manner whereby each box in the stack of boxes will be retained against movement through-a horizontally disposed plane in at least one pair of opposite directions relative to the adjacent box or boxes of the stack.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a stacking box construction which will enable an entire stack of boxes to be lifted merely by grasping the uppermost box of the stack of boxes. i

Still another object of this Vinvention is to provide a box construction in accordance with the preceding objects constructed in a manner whereby portions of the bottom of one boxmay comprise a removable closure for the top of the box disposed immediately therebenreath.

Yet another object of this invention is to-provide a box construction constructed in a manner whereby a plurality of boxes may be interlockingly engaged with each otherand yet be provided with individual closure covers for the upper ends thereof.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a stacking box construction in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a stack of a plurality of the box constructions of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3--3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View similar to that of FIG- URE 2 of the drawings but showing a modified form of stacking box constructions;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5 5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective View of a pair of the stacking box constructions illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a stack of a plurality of modied stacking box constructions shown with the removable cover for the uppermost box or container partly broken away and shown in section; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary partially exploded perspective View of'a still further modified form of stacking box'construction shown with portions of all of the further modified form of stacking boxes broken away and shown in section.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates one form of the stacking box construction of the instant invention. It may be seen from FIGURE l of the drawings that a plurality of the stacking boxes lil are arranged in a stack generally referred to by the reference numeral 14 and that each of the boxes lli includes a pair of opposite end walls 16 and 18 and a pair of opposite side walls 26 and 22 which are interconnected by means of an integral bottom wall 24.

The upper surface of each of the bottom walls 24 may be provided with a plurality of upwardly opening recesses 26 in order to stationarily support whatever articles are to be'disposed in the boxes't. In addition, it may be seen that the opposite upstanding end walls 16 and 1S are each provided with an outwardly opening horizontally disposed finger recess 28.

With attention now directed more specifically to FIG- URES 1 and 3 of the drawings it may be seen that each of the opposite'upstandin'g side walls 20 and 22 is provided with an upwardly opening dovetailed recess 3u. In addition, it maybe seen that each 'of theopposite upstanding end walls 16 and 13 is provided'with an inwardly opening recess 32.

A depending projection 34 islcarried by each of theV bottom Walls 24 and is generally dovetailed in cross section. The recesses 32 form continuations of the opposite ends of the recesses '3G formedV in the upstanding side walls 20 and 22 and the dovetailed projections 34 are each v' receivable in a corresponding one of the dovetailed i interlockingly engaged with each other` in a manner snsaeee whereby the stack 14 may be lifted in its entirety by grasping the upper box it). In addition, it will be noted that each of the boxes lil is retained against longitudinal displacement in both directions relative to the adjacent box or boxes.

In order to provide a closure or top wall for the uppermost box 10, a panel-like member 40 is provided and it may be seen that the panel-like member 40 is substantially dovetailed-shaped in longitudinal cross section so as to be adapted to be snugly slidably received in the uppermost groove 36 defined by the recesses 3@ and 32 of the upper box lll. Each of the projections 34 cornprises a removable closurercover or top wall for the box l() disposed immediately therebeneath.

With attention now directed to FIGURES 4 through 6 of the drawings there Will be seen a modified form of stacking box generally referred to by the reference numeral 44 which is similar in many respects to the stacking box 10. AThe stacking boxes 44 are identical to the stacking boxes 10 with the exception that the recesses corresponding to the recesses and 32 are formed somewhat differently and the stacking boxes 44 each includes a removable top Wall 46 which is separate from the projection 48 carried thereby which corresponds to the projection 34 0f the stacking box 10. The recesses 50 corresponding to the recesses 30 define a pair of communicated and oppositely opening dovetailed recesses. In addition, the recesses 52 correspondingy to the recesses 32 are substantially triangular in cross section and thereby may be utilized to form continuations of the opposite ends of the dovetailed grooves 54 and 56 formed by the recesses 52. The projections 48 are slidably receivable in the dovetailed grooves 54 defined by the recesses 56 and 52 and the removable closure cover or top walls 46 each includes beveled edge portions 6ft whereby they may be snugly and slidably received in the corresponding groove 56 defined by the recesses Si) and 52. Accordingly, it may be seen from FIGURES 4 and 6 of the drawings that the closure covers or top walls 46 are removable independently of the projection 48 disposed immediately thereabove. Each of the stacking boxes 44 may be disengaged from the stacking box disposed therebeneath independently of the closure cover or top wall 46 of that stacking box disposed below the one which is being removed.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 7 of the drawings, there will be seen a still further modified form of stacking box construction which is generally referred to by the reference numeral 62. The stacking boxes 62 are very similar to the stacking box 10 although the stacking box 62 does not include recesses corresponding to the recesses 36 and 32 nor a projection corresponding to the projection 34. However; each of the stacking boxes 62 includes a pair of downwardly opening transverse grooves 64 which are formed in the lower surface of the bottom wall 66 thereof and a transversely extending and upwardly directing pair of ribs 68 are formed across each end of each stacking box 62. It of course may be seen from FIGURE 7 yof the drawings that the ribs 68 areV tion 62 and includes beveled opposite end edges 78 which correspond to the `beveled surfaces 70. Accordingly, .it may be Seen that each closure cover 76 may be recessed within the corresponding box construction 62 so that its upper surface will be ush with the upper surfaces of the top of the box 62. The ribs 68 of course project above .Y

the upper surfaces of the upstanding side and end Walls of the box 62 in order that the undersurface 80 of one box construction 62 may rest flush against the upper surface of the opstanding wallsrof the box Vconstruction62 disposed therebeneath and the removable closure cover or top wall 76 thereof.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 8 of the drawings, there will be seen a still further modified form of stacking box construction generally referred to by the reference numeral 82. The stacking box constructions 82 each includes opposite end Walls 84 and opposite side walls 86 which are interconnected by means of an integral bottom wall 8S. Each of the upstandin'g Walls of the box constructions 82 includes a longitudinal upstanding rib or ridge 9@ which includes beveled inner and outer surfaces 92 and 94. I n addition, it may be seen that a downwardly opening recess 96 is defined by depending ridges 98 carried by the lower ends of the upstanding walls 84 and 86 of each box construction 82.. Each of the ridges 98 includes abeveled inner surface 100. Accordingly, from FIGURE 8 of the drawings it may be seen that the outer beveled surfaces 94 of each box construction 82 are complementary to the inner beveled surfaces itil) of the ridges 98 and that the box constructions 82 may therefore be stacked and interlockingly engaged with each other against movement in any direction through a horizontal plane relative to the adjacent box construction 82. Still further, each of the box constructions 82, together with .the box construction 82 disposed therebeneath, defines a downwardly opening dovetailcd groove in which a removable top Wall or closure cover M2 is receivable. The closure covers 102 are dovetailed shaped in both longitudinal and tranverse cross section and therefore may be recessed between and supported by the Ibeveled surfaces 92 of the ridges 94 with the upper surface of theclosure cover 102 of all but the uppermost box construct-ion 82 being disposed in flush contact with the lower surface of the bottom wall 88 of the box construction 82 disposed thereabove. Y

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the ant, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as `new is as follows:

1. A staclc'ng box constnuction comprising an open top container including upstanding opposite side and end walls interconnected at their lower marginal edge portions by means of a bottom Wall, the upper marginal edge portions of at least some of said upstanding walls and the lower surfaces of at least some of said Walls defining cornplementary and interlockingly engageable projections and recesses releasably engageable with each other for retaining a stack of interconnected ones of said containers against movement through aV generally horizontally disposed plane in opposite directionsrelative to the adjacent yones of said containers in said stack, a removable top Wall, at least some of said recesses also defining an area in which said top wall is removably receivable, said recesses dening an upwardly Vopening dovetailed grooveextending between one pair of said opstanding walls, said recesses also defining a downwardly opening dovetailed groove communicated at its uppermost end with the first mentioned groove, said projections depending downwardly from the lower surface of said bottom wall and defining a dovetailed projection snugly and slidably receivable in said first mentioned groove, said removable top wall being dovetailed in cross section and being slidably receivable in the'last mentioned groove.

Y 2. A stacking box construction comprising a container including opstanding parallel side walls and upstanding parallel-end walls interconnecting the ends of the side Walls, a bottom Wall perpendicular to the side and end walls and interconnecting the same for providing an open top container, the end walls-orf said container projecting above the edges of the side walls, each end wall having an inwardly facing Vt-shaped groove therein disposed above the side Walls, a removable top for the container, said top including inclined end edges siidably engaging the bottom portion of the inwardly `facing V-shaped grooves in the end Walls yfor forming a elosure for lthe container, the bottom wall of said ycontainer having a transversely extending dovetailed groove at ea-eh end thereof for sliding interlocking engagement with an underlying box With the dovetailed portion of the `grooves in the bottom Walls engaging the upper portion of the inwardly facing V-Ishaped grooves on :the end Walls -for interlocking Vertieally stacked boxes with lthe removable top underlying the bottom Aof an overlying container and forming a closure for the underlying container, independent of the 'presence of an overlying container.

3. The structure as deiined in claim 2 `wherein the top edge Aof one side Wall is at'and the top` edge of the other side Wall i-s beveled, the iside edges of said removable top Ibeing beveled-whereby the top maybe slid laterally inwardly over top yof the flat edge of the side .wall Awhereby the inclined side edge of vthe top` will engage the inclined top edge lof the other iside Wall.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said end wal-1s is provided with an inwardly extending 6 ledge Acoincident with the bottom edge of the groove for forming a horizontal ledge for ysupporting the removable top wall inwardly of the inclined end edges thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNTED STATES PATENTS THERONYE. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

1. A STACKING BOX CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING AN OPEN TOP CONTAINER INCLUDING UPSTANDING OPPOSITE SIDE AND END WALLS INTERCONNECTED AT THEIR LOWER MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS BY MEANS OF A BOTTOM WALL, THE UPPER MARGINAL EDGE PORTIONS OF AT LEAST SOME OF SAID UPSTANDING WALLS AND THE LOWER SURFACES OF AT LEAST SOME OF SAID WALLS DEFINING COMPLEMENTARY AND INTERLOCKINGLY ENGAGEABLE PROJECTIONS AND RECESSES RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH EACH OTHER FOR RETAINING A STACK OF INTERCONNECTED ONES OF SAID CONTAINERS AGAINST MOVEMENT THROUGH A GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PLANE IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS RELATIVE TO THE ADJACENT ONES OF SAID CONTAINERS IN SAID STACK, A REMOVABLE TOP WALL, AT LEAST SOME OF SAID RECESSES ALSO DEFINING AN AREA IN WHICH SAID TOP WALL IS REMOVABLY RECEIVABLE, SAID RECESSES DEFINING AN UPWARDLY OPENING DOVETAILED GROOVE EXTENDING BETWEEN ONE PAIR OF SAID UPSTANDING WALLS, SAID RECESSES ALSO DEFINGING A DOWNWARDLY OPENING DOVETAILED GROOVE BEING DOVETAILED IN CROSS SECTION AND BEING SLIDABLY RECEIVABLE IN THE LAST MENTIONED GROOVE. 